Democratic Party pulls Harry Lyon from the Ala. Chief Justice race

Harry Lyon, the Democratic nominee for Alabama Chief Justice, has been pulled from the race by the Alabama Democratic Party.

The Alabama Democratic Party accused Lyon of violating the party's ethical conduct of a candidate. A five-member sub-committee held a hearing today to determine whether Lyon would be pulled from the ballot.

The party will hand pick a replacement for Lyon. The qualifying period for a new candidate will begin at 8 a.m. Monday, August 20 and end Wednesday, August 22 at noon. If there is more than one candidate, ballots will be sent to the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee for voting. Those results will be in by Monday, August 27.

Montgomery attorney James Anderson, who represented the party during the hearing, said that if no one qualifies, there will be no Democratic candidate for Alabama Chief Justice.

The hearing generated colorful commentary from Lyon, who represented himself. At one point, Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy asked Lyon if he believes gays and lesbians are abominations. Lyon replied, "God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve."

Lyon let it be known that he believes the Republican nominee, Roy Moore, is "demented" and criticized him for carrying the Ten Commandments. Chairman Kennedy fired back, asking Lyon whether he believes its appropriate for a candidate to call his opponent "demented" and a "devil worshipper."

"Oh this is nothing but a kangaroo type hearing. A kangaroo tribunal decision has already been made to take me off the ballot," Lyon said earlier this week.

Bill Armistead, Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, said in a press release that this situation shows that Alabama Democrats are "truly liberal and out of touch with Alabama values."

He goes on to say that the removal of Lyon because of his opposition to the Democratic position on gay marriage should make it "clear to every Alabamian just how liberal the Democratic Party has become."

Alabama Deputy Secretary of State Emily Thompson would not comment on today's events but did tell sister station WSFA News that ballots for the November election have not yet been printed.

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